Graduation

Blackman High School’s 2018 Graduation ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 19th beginning at 7:00pm, at Middle Tennessee State University’s Murphy Center

Do guests have to have tickets in order to attend graduation?

There are no tickets for guests.

Is my senior limited on the number of guests he/she may invite?

There is no limit to the number of guests a senior may invite.

Do seniors have to participate in graduation in order to graduate?

No. Participation in graduation is not a requirement for graduating from high school.

What time is graduation rehearsal?

Graduation rehearsal will be on Wednesday, May 16 beginning promptly at 8:30 am. Rehearsal usually lasts about two hours, but we have until 11:30 am so do not make any plans during this time.

If my senior chooses to participate in graduation, must he/she attend rehearsal?

Yes. Participation in rehearsal is a must for those seniors participating in graduation. Failure to attend the full rehearsal will forfeit a senior’s opportunity to participate in graduation. ***As rehearsal is mandatory, we strongly suggest that you make no appointments for the day of rehearsal.***

What do I need to do to ensure that my senior is able to participate in graduation?

First, be sure that your senior has earned or will earn the necessary credits to graduate. In November, a form will be brought home by your senior for you to sign and return to school. On this form, you will indicate that your senior intends to participate in graduation. Please have your senior return this form to Mr. Weeks as soon as possible. We do not want to spend time in the spring trying to verify if your senior intends to walk

***This form will need to be signed and returned even if your senior WILL NOT participate in graduation.

***This form can be downloaded at the right hand side of this page. It is labeled Graduation Participation Form 2018.

***The intent to walk form can be returned to one of two places: 1) There will be a box outside of Mr. Weeks' room, E12; or 2) There will be a box inside the Library/Media Center.

If my senior graduates in December, can he/she still participate in the May graduation ceremony?

Yes. He/She will need to complete the items listed for seniors.

Can my senior still walk at graduation if he will graduate through summer school?

No. The May graduation is for seniors who have earned the necessary credits to graduate at the end of the school year. Those seniors graduating through summer school will have an opportunity to participate in the graduation ceremony for summer school.

How long does graduation last?

While it is impossible to predict the length of graduation, previous Blackman ceremonies have usually finished in about 90 minutes.

***However, in order to reduce the unnecessary noise made by some guests, our assistant principals will pause while reading the names of the graduates if there are any extended disruptions. If that happens, the length of the ceremony could extend considerably.

Will graduation be filmed or live streamed over the Internet?

Our plan is for the ceremony to be filmed and live streamed by Mr. McCreery’s Radio and TV class. A copy of the video can be purchased from Mr. McCreery. Contact Mr. McCreery for the cost of the video. As we get closer to the date of the ceremony, a link will be placed on the school’s website for live streaming.

Why is the announcement made to remain quiet during the ceremony?

Graduation is intended to be a dignified ceremony. In recent years, the trend has been to yell, scream, chant, blow air horns, etc. when a senior’s name is called. While this does remove from the dignity of the ceremony, it also causes the names of some seniors to not be heard. We ask that any celebration you do when your senior’s name is called be quick so the family of the ones following your senior may likewise hear their name called.

What if my senior causes a disruption during graduation?

Any senior that causes a commotion or disruption during the processional, ceremony, or recessional will be escorted from Murphy Center and his/her diploma will be held until the senior and his/her family meet with Dr. Justus to discuss the situation. Release of the senior’s diploma will be at the discretion of Dr. Justus.

Graduation Dress Code

Is there a dress code for seniors participating in graduation?

Yes. All seniors participating in graduation must wear a Blackman cap and gown.

Girls have two options: 1) Girls may wear a dress/skirt that does not hang below the gown and dress shoes (Wedge shoes are fine, dress sandals (with a heel) are fine. No flats – sandals that have no heel and are not considered dress shoes; no boots of any kind); and 2) Girls may wear dress pants with a blouse and dress shoes. If they choose this option, they may wear dress boots.

What special regalia items may be worn at graduation?

While there are many items (stoles, cords, medallions, tassels, pins, etc.) that may be worn during any graduation ceremony, only those items listed below may be worn for Blackman’s graduation.

My senior received a special award/recognition from an organization outside of BHS. May he/she wear this award as part of their graduation regalia?

No. The only regalia items that may be worn at graduation are those listed above. These items represent national organizations that have a chapter at BHS.

How does my senior get their graduation regalia?

Regalia provided by clubs will be given to seniors by the club sponsor. All other items will be sold be Josten's at BHS approximately 2 weeks prior to graduation. NO PERSONAL CHECKS will be accepted by Josten's at that time. These items may be purchased with CASH ONLY.

Murphy Center

Is there a special seating area for the disabled and those in a wheelchair?

Yes. Murphy Center is ADA compliant. For those with disabilities, the entrance is at the northwest corner of Murphy center behind the tennis courts. Once inside the lower level, individuals can make there way via the north hallway to the northeast corner to the elevator. Take the elevator to the main level and areas for seating for the disabled are available.

Is there a location for seniors to leave personal items such as purses, car keys, cell phones, etc. during graduation?

No. Seniors are encouraged to leave personal items in their cars or with family members. The use of cell phones during graduation is prohibited and may result in a senior’s diploma being held.

Josten’s

Must a senior purchase a cap and gown from Josten’s in order to participate in graduation?

No. While a senior is required to wear a Blackman cap and gown, they may borrow one from a sibling or friend who is a Blackman graduate.

May I purchase a cap and gown from a company other than Josten’s?

No. Josten’s is the company that Blackman works with for graduation, and a senior participating in graduation must purchase their cap and gown from Josten’s.

What information does Josten’s need when my senior orders his/her cap and gown?

Josten’s will need your senior’s height and weight.

What is the cost of the cap and gown?

The cost of the basic package, which includes the cap, gown, tassel, and diploma cover, is $54.88.

Who do I pay for my cap and gown?

As you are purchasing these items from Josten’s, you will need to pay them. Blackman teachers, administrators, or staff will collect no money for graduation items.

When do we pay for the cap and gown?

Josten’s will be at Blackman on TBA. On this date, Josten’s will deliver information about graduation items including the cap and gown needed for graduation. Josten’s will return on TBA. (There are two dates this year as Josten’s plans to take orders for girls on one day and boys the other. Josten’s will specify in their TBA meeting which day will be for girls and for boys.) On these dates, your full order (including caps and gowns, announcements, and other senior items) will be placed and Josten’s will require a deposit. We are asking that your account with Josten’s be paid in full no later than March 23, 2018. This can be done on-line at www.jostens.com or by phone at 1-800-JOSTENS.

If I am not participating in graduation, do I still have to purchase a cap and gown?

No. However, you will be billed for the diploma and diploma cover.

What should seniors do once they have received their cap and gown?

First of all, do not open these at school! In doing this, the chances of the gown getting torn or breaking the zipper are greatly increased. At home, open the cap and gown and try them on to make sure that both fit properly. (The gown should fall about halfway between the knee and ankle.) DO NOT place a hot iron directly on the gown! While you may iron the gown through a folded towel, the best way to remove the wrinkles is to place the gown on a hanger and allow the steam from a hot shower to remove the wrinkles. If your cap and/or gown do not fit, contact Josten’s immediately! The number is 1-800-JOSTENS.

Do I have to purchase invitations from Josten’s?

No. While Josten’s does offer graduation announcements and other “senior items,” you do not have to purchase these items from Josten’s.

Graduation Deadlines

Are there any deadlines that my senior must meet?

Yes. The intent to walk form should be turned in as soon as possible, preferably by the end of the first semester. Those who plan to graduate with distinction or honors should notify their guidance counselor by the end of the first semester. Those who have perfect attendance (K-12 or 9-12) must have this verified by attendance and inform Mr. Weeks by April 1. All balances with Josten’s should be cleared by April 1.

What should a senior do if he/she plans to graduate with Tennessee state distinction or honors?

Those seniors who plan to graduate with distinction or honors must meet the requirements as laid out in the student handbook. We ask that seniors notify their guidance counselors that they have met or will meet the requirements by the end of the first semester. Seniors must notify their guidance counselor of their completion or planned completion of requirements to graduate with distinction or honors by the TBD, so that we may have time to order the necessary regalia from Josten’s. If your senior does not complete the distinction/honors form and return it to his/her guidance counselor by TBD, he/she will not be recognized at graduation.

My senior has perfect attendance. Will he/she be recognized at graduation?

If a senior has perfect attendance for grades K-12 or grades 9-12, he/she will be recognized and will receive a plaque at graduation. ***It is up to the senior to verify this with the attendance office. Once they have receive confirmation from attendance, the senior should bring this information to Mr. Weeks, our graduation coordinator in room E-12. The deadline for getting this verified and to Mr. Weeks is April 1.

More Information

Who do I contact for more information?

Information will be sent home with your senior in November, March, and late April. However, if needed you may contact Mr. Weeks, our graduation coordinator. His email address is weeksm@rcschools.net or you may leave him a message at (615)904-3850 ext. 22978.